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Gloria’s Birthday Party

December 15, 2010

Ten years old

While we waited for the party to start, Diana taught me a hand motion routine. I’m a slow learner with something like this, but she is a good teacher.

Gifts waiting to be opened

Big sister Jenna

New puppy Cassie

Time to open presents.

Gloria loves boots.

Mary Jane (a very special neighborhood grandma) and Gloria

Grandma Wells even gave her puppy a gift.

Cassie loved it.

Grandma Wells wanted a picture of Jordan and Nathan, but they gave her a “run for her money.”

First they were very serious.

Then they were goofy. I’m not sure if she ever did get a good picture.

Time for the cake.

Making sure there is no icing left on the candle holders.

Venison sweet sticks. I can eat these like candy. Notice that the ones on the left are filled with cheese.

Diana getting a kiss from Cassie

This is one blessed hound – to have been chosen by Jeff and Chris’ family. They have so much fun with her – and she with them.

Mary said, I’m bursting with God-news; I’m dancing the song of my Savior God. It’s exactly what he promised, beginning with Abraham and right up to now.

Luke 1:46, 47, 55 (The Message)

Snow ~ Tangerine Peel

Birds ~ Sunrise

Variety of Pictures From the Past Two Weeks

We had a dusting of snow several times since the beginning of December.

Jere and Kristen emailed us a picture of Jesse catching snow with his tongue.

I saw this tangerine peel (or whatever citrus fruit it is) one morning as I passed a neighbors field. I expect someone threw it out a window and it just hit the wire and hung there. They probably couldn’t have done that if they had tried.

It is difficult to keep the bird feeders full right now, because the birds are busy, and it has been so windy.

This house sparrow pair visited on the porch rail one cold morning while the other birds fed on sunflower seeds.

I noticed the pretty sunrise this morning, and decided to get a picture before it changed too much. By the time I came inside and sat down to finish my coffee the clouds had totally covered the sun streaks.

It lasted less than five minutes.

The angel answered, The Holy Spirit will come upon you, the power of the Highest hover over you; Therefore, the child you bring to birth will be called Holy, Son of God.

Luke 1:35 (The Message)

They Shall Mount Up With Wings of Eagles

Tuesday, December 21

Today was incredibly stressful. I was busy, the phone rang off the hook, and my envelope printer quit working. Add that to weeks of being very busy in the office.

Then, shortly after lunch – just after the Pitney Bowes tech helped me (via phone) make an adjustment to the printer – the phone rang again. I took a deep breath, reminded myself to answer kindly and professionally, and to not sound stressed.

It was my brother-in-law Marlin saying, “There is a bald eagle on a tree in the borderline between you and Rich’s farm.”

I told him that I would be right there with my camera.

Adrenalin kicked in and I no longer felt weary or stressed.

Marlin and Nancy were coming home by our house (they live in the woodlot behind us) when they spotted this majestic creature.

I think I surprised Marlin and Nancy when, after talking to them a bit, I pulled the car into the field and gradually drove closer to the eagle. The ground is frozen making it a solid place to drive.

I drove a bit – then took a picture – repeating that several times. I could have walked from the house, but figured the eagle would be more comfortable with a car rather than a moving person.

I did want it to fly, so kept driving closer, because that is when they really look beautiful.

I was thankful for its flight pattern – giving me a great photography opportunity.

Going by the woodlot where we live.

These trees are in our yard.

This is the first time I ever saw a bald eagle in our neighborhood.

~~~

The Lord used this beautiful bird to lift my spirits and adjust my weary, frustrated attitude today.

~~~

Watch for this—a virgin will get pregnant and bear a son; They will name him Immanuel (Hebrew for “God is with us”).

Matthew 1:23 (The Message)

Chuck-E-Cheese for Gloria’s Birthday

Saturday, December 11

This was the day we celebrated Gloria’s tenth birthday.

Racing cars with grandpa

It is rare that we go to Chuck-E-Cheese with only two children. However, the only person that it suited was her sister Diana. Jana was shopping with her other grandma, and Jenna was shopping with Roy and Deb.

Diana came running – asking me to bring the camera, because she had just hit the jackpot in this machine – 250 tickets.

I am at this end of the tickets and she is way across the room with her end.

The two of them had great fun together.

After all the tokens were gone, they climbed into the tube that was attached to the ceiling.

Diana looking through the wheel of one of the tube’s cars

Gloria

~~~

After this we went to Park City (our local mall) where Gloria wanted to shop.

I didn’t feel like taking the camera in the mall, but wish I had. Gloria had fun choosing a Build-A-Bear reindeer with money she brought along. Shortly after leaving Build-A-Bear, we met her mom and brother Nathan who were Christmas shopping, then we met Jana and Josh with their Grandma Buch.

That was fun and surprising, because the mall is very large, and there were thousands of people shopping. We knew that Roy, Deb, and Jenna were also coming to this mall, but we were leaving by the time they arrived.

After lunch at Pizza Hut, we enjoyed a quiet afternoon at home with the girls.

A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master.

Luke 2:11 (The Message)

A Holiday Concert

The Fifth & Sixth Grades of Our Local Middle School

Thursday, December 9 – 7:00 p.m.

There were beautiful poinsettias on stage, so I used one for a test photo shot.

Our special interest of the evening was granddaughter Jana who was singing in the chorus.

Introductions

I enjoy watching this creative director

An interesting kitchen band

A side-stage band

Back to the main stage

Love her stockings!

This girl was sporting a cast

The chorus was directed by a young woman who grew up in our neighborhood. My first job was working for her dad who owned a local grocery store. She was a young girl when I worked there. I think I’m getting old.

We could barely see Jana, but in this photo I captured her looking at us.

A very creative way of singing and acting out Holiday Lights

The last song was another cute one – Hot Chocolate

Jesse and Jana after the program was over.

~~~

I love Christmas concerts by young people!

~~~

When we worship the right way, God doesn’t stir us up into confusion; he brings us into harmony. This goes for all the churches—no exceptions.

1 Corinthians 14:33 (The Message)